California Room Garden, The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show, Costa Mesa, California [Photography]

A decorative show garden lounge area is situated inside a shopping mall, framed by dark red leaves. A wooden plank path leads through green plants and flowers toward a circular seating area made of gray stone and wooden seats. In the center of the seating is a yellow fire pit with logs, positioned in front of a large black screen and a patterned diamond tile. A blue lion head statue with a gold crown sits beside the path.

“Welcome to the California ‘Room’ Garden where there is no clear boundary between garden and room, no enclosed wall, no barrier – just a seamless transition that makes you feel relaxed and at ease while your field of vision fills with an intimate, meditative landscape. The composition is restrained, but never empty — every element feels intentional. This is a garden you don’t just visit – you live with. Designed by Saddleback College.”

The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show

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View. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSULB, Long Beach, California [Photography]

A vertical photograph of a garden featuring a pond surrounded by various trees, rocks, and greenery under a cloudy sky. In the foreground, a still pond contains lily pads with small pink flowers and tall, green reeds emerging from the water. Large, smooth boulders line the edge of the water near dense green bushes and a cluster of vibrant pink flowers on the right. right. In the middle distance, a person walks along a light-colored stone path near umbrellas nestled among the trees. The background consists of several tall, leafy trees against a bright, overcast sky.

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Dedicated in April 1981, the 1.3 acre garden was built through the generosity of Mrs. Loraine Miller Collins in memory of her late husband, Earl Burns Miller. Following three years of planning, in cooperation with California State University Long Beach, landscape architect Edward R. Lovell was chosen to oversee its creation. The resulting garden reflects the university’s continued interest in international education, student and community engagement, as well as the Miller’s interests in nature and wellness.  The university is delighted to share this educational, cultural, and aesthetic resource with you. – CSULB

Show Garden, The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show, Costa Mesa, California [Photography]

An indoor plant display featuring various greenery, rocks, and mulch is set against the backdrop of a brightly lit storefront. The arrangement includes tall, wispy grasses, a large bushy green plant, a thin yellowish-g yellowish-green sapling, and smaller succulents interspersed with light-col light-colored rocks and dark mulch. A large, green ceramic pot is positioned on the left side of the display. In the background, people can be seen through a large glass window inside a store with wooden displays, and two people are standing near the left edge of the planter.

The 36th Annual Southern California Spring Garden Show

Follow me on Instagram at @douglaswelch, @dewdesignphoto, @agardenersnotebook and Pixelfed.

Guzmania Flower, Idyllwild, California [Photography]

A close-up photograph of a bright magenta bromeliad plant. Large, pointed, pink leaves radiate from a central cluster. The center of the plant features pale, off-white petal-like structures. Harsh sunlight creates bright highlights and deep shadows across the leaves. Green foliage is visible in the blurred background.

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View. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSULB, Long Beach, California [Photography]

A garden scene featuring a pond surrounded by rocks and lush vegetation. In the foreground, pink water lilies and green lily pads float near tall, green reeds. Several large, smooth boulders are partially submerged in the water. The background contains various trees, pink flowering bushes, and a stone lantern near a gravel area. Figures are seated under white umbrellas in the far distance.

Follow me on Instagram at @douglaswelch, @dewdesignphoto, and @agardenersnotebook and Pixelfed.

Dedicated in April 1981, the 1.3 acre garden was built through the generosity of Mrs. Loraine Miller Collins in memory of her late husband, Earl Burns Miller. Following three years of planning, in cooperation with California State University Long Beach, landscape architect Edward R. Lovell was chosen to oversee its creation. The resulting garden reflects the university’s continued interest in international education, student and community engagement, as well as the Miller’s interests in nature and wellness.  The university is delighted to share this educational, cultural, and aesthetic resource with you. – CSULB

Rhaphiolepis, Costa Mesa, California [Photography]

Rhaphiolepis 2026.

Follow me on Instagram at @douglaswelch, @dewdesignphoto, and @agardenersnotebook and Pixelfed.

Pink Hollyhock, My Garden, Sherman Oaks, California [Photography]

Pink hollyhock.

Redbud Flowers, Rancho Los Alamitos, California [Photography]

First Daffodil 2026 [Photography]

First daffoldil 2026.
 

Flowering Now: Lady Bank’s Rose (Rosa banksiae) [Photography]

Lady banks rose 2026.